Fernandez to become U.S. citizen in special ceremony

Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez is about to get a new passport.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services will hold a special citizenship ceremony on Friday in which Fernandez and 140 South Florida residents will become citizens of the United States. Fernandez, a native of Cuba, will be a special keynote speaker during the event.

Fernandez was born in Santa Clara in Cuba, and he came to the United States in 2008. He attended Braulio Alonso High School in Tampa, Fla., before being taken by the Marlins as the 14th overall selection in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. Fernandez went 12-6 with a 2.19 ERA en route to the NL Rookie of the Year Award in 2013.

The right-hander is currently working his way back from surgery on his pitching elbow, and is expected to return to the mound in the Major Leagues in June or July.